Memories
Bob friedman
Life is too short. Even at 96 Elliott Royce would agree with that. He still had much on his agenda. He was friend to many, a good listener, a man of infinite interests and many talents. He was generous, and genuine. He was one of a kind, though with his modesty I think he would prefer being considered "Unique...just like everyone else". He inspired, supported, brought together, and amused people of all kinds, all ages. He was enthusiastic about everything and always asked first, "what's new with you?", or at a first time meeting, "tell me about you!"
I have known Elliott for over 64 years. He was a true friend and often a father figure. The entire Royce Family has been my second family and for them and Elliott I shall be forever grateful. I am a better person for knowing them all...especially Elliott.
There is a Japanese word, 'ikigai'. It is the concept of 'that which makes my Life worth living...the reason One wakes up in the morning'. Elliott sure had a grasp of ikigai his entire life.
He was a world traveler. Always easy going, he got around. I think he made more trips to Israel than I have made to St.Paul. He even went to Fargo one cold and wet spring to help sandbagging efforts. He left here wearing tennis shoes and no hat, traveling alone on a Greyhound bus.
Elliott always had that child amazement sense of things. Everything seemed to fascinate him in his world of wonder. After taking up the tuba as his instrument of choice at around age 80, and marching in parades year after year, he decided to start sending musical instruments to Israel. But the day he discovered how one takes the dents out tubas really made him giddy with excitement. He even bought a set of the steel balls and heavy duty magnet so he could try it himself.
Was there ever a more generous person? He would discover a new product, or some goofy toy chotzkie like the 20 perpetual dipping ducks that he lined up on 4 shelves, and buy bunches for himself or to give away. Not too long ago I entered his apartment and he handed me, from a stack of 15 boxes, a new dental hygiene tool.
When Elliott had a garage sale before leaving the Golden Valley house he became the only person I know to have gotten rid of 98% of what he put out. He did that because everything was priced right. Everything was FREE!
If you told Elliott about some organization that you supported and believed in he would write a check. He wrote checks to hundreds of organizations.
Elliott, seeker of knowledge. He loved his adventures to the St. Louis Park Library.
His coffee table was always stacked high with books and magazines. He would cut out articles that he thought others would enjoy and send them.
He was a great listener. Always inquisitive. When I commented to him about this wonderful trait of his he said, "Bob, I never learned anything while I was talking". A wise observation.
At about age 85, when he got slightly bored and decided he had time, he chose yet another adventure. Elliott calls me, "Bob, I got a job at Byerly's doing food sampling".
"Can you believe it, it pays $11.50 an hour."
I said, "Elliott, when are going to retire?" "Re-tire?, he says. I haven't tired yet"
One early December he calls me. "Bob, what are doing on December 18th?"
I look at my calendar, blank. Moment of decision, do I tell him I am busy or go with his inquiry. I decided that when Elliott called it was reason to follow.
"Great", he says. "Your going to join me marching with the Police Band in the Holidazzle parade." What fun we both had.
Elliott the active senior. From teaching elders to fall, hosting summer BBQ's, shopping trips to Cosco, helping David and Jeff at the glass studio, picking up litter every morning in Wolf Park, being the first down the water slide at the Rec Center, taking the bus even if offered a ride...he got around.
And oh how he practiced keeping up good health. I loved the way he walked, more like a quick trot, arms in motion, eager to get there. What joy and longevity his active life brought him. Using his variety of bicycles got him noticed. Walking, riding, striding or jumping, he was always on the move.
I can hear the heavenly angels declaring, "hooray, we finally have someone coming who will use the trampoline!"
I think it can be said that the last few decades were defined by his admiration for
Theodore Geisel. That would be "Dr. Seuss". Elliott portrayed the essence of the Seuss character by wearing the red striped hat and red bow tie. He amused children and adults at the health clinic while he volunteered pushing around the courtesy beverage cart or attending events where he made ballon animals. His bicycles were adorned in Dr. Seuss, from the giant paper mâché hat, to the recent Thing One and Thing Two, his most faithful companions. He rode everywhere around town, and in parades he brought smiles to all.
I read up a little this morning and discovered why Elliott so aligned with the Seuss writings. The Cat in the Hat was written as a way to bring more literacy to children.
The Dick and Sally phenomenon helped, but Geisel felt he could do better, that he could make a real difference with a rhyming Dr. Seuss.
And making a difference was the passion of our beloved Elliott Royce. He made it better for the thousands of people he met, he mentored, he connected, and to whom he offered unconditional love.
Elliott lived by these and so many other Seuss quotes:
"You can find magic wherever you look. Sit back and relax...all you need is a
book."
"Why fit in when you were born to stand out?"
"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer
yourself any direction you choose".
"Sometimes the questions are complicated and answers are simple."
And on this day that we celebrate a life well lived...
"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."
So my dear, dear friend Elliott Royce...Thank You for being part of so many lives.
I will do my best to honor and remember your legacy... I will do my best to keep on jumping.
With love and fond memories,
Bob Friedman
I have known Elliott for over 64 years. He was a true friend and often a father figure. The entire Royce Family has been my second family and for them and Elliott I shall be forever grateful. I am a better person for knowing them all...especially Elliott.
There is a Japanese word, 'ikigai'. It is the concept of 'that which makes my Life worth living...the reason One wakes up in the morning'. Elliott sure had a grasp of ikigai his entire life.
He was a world traveler. Always easy going, he got around. I think he made more trips to Israel than I have made to St.Paul. He even went to Fargo one cold and wet spring to help sandbagging efforts. He left here wearing tennis shoes and no hat, traveling alone on a Greyhound bus.
Elliott always had that child amazement sense of things. Everything seemed to fascinate him in his world of wonder. After taking up the tuba as his instrument of choice at around age 80, and marching in parades year after year, he decided to start sending musical instruments to Israel. But the day he discovered how one takes the dents out tubas really made him giddy with excitement. He even bought a set of the steel balls and heavy duty magnet so he could try it himself.
Was there ever a more generous person? He would discover a new product, or some goofy toy chotzkie like the 20 perpetual dipping ducks that he lined up on 4 shelves, and buy bunches for himself or to give away. Not too long ago I entered his apartment and he handed me, from a stack of 15 boxes, a new dental hygiene tool.
When Elliott had a garage sale before leaving the Golden Valley house he became the only person I know to have gotten rid of 98% of what he put out. He did that because everything was priced right. Everything was FREE!
If you told Elliott about some organization that you supported and believed in he would write a check. He wrote checks to hundreds of organizations.
Elliott, seeker of knowledge. He loved his adventures to the St. Louis Park Library.
His coffee table was always stacked high with books and magazines. He would cut out articles that he thought others would enjoy and send them.
He was a great listener. Always inquisitive. When I commented to him about this wonderful trait of his he said, "Bob, I never learned anything while I was talking". A wise observation.
At about age 85, when he got slightly bored and decided he had time, he chose yet another adventure. Elliott calls me, "Bob, I got a job at Byerly's doing food sampling".
"Can you believe it, it pays $11.50 an hour."
I said, "Elliott, when are going to retire?" "Re-tire?, he says. I haven't tired yet"
One early December he calls me. "Bob, what are doing on December 18th?"
I look at my calendar, blank. Moment of decision, do I tell him I am busy or go with his inquiry. I decided that when Elliott called it was reason to follow.
"Great", he says. "Your going to join me marching with the Police Band in the Holidazzle parade." What fun we both had.
Elliott the active senior. From teaching elders to fall, hosting summer BBQ's, shopping trips to Cosco, helping David and Jeff at the glass studio, picking up litter every morning in Wolf Park, being the first down the water slide at the Rec Center, taking the bus even if offered a ride...he got around.
And oh how he practiced keeping up good health. I loved the way he walked, more like a quick trot, arms in motion, eager to get there. What joy and longevity his active life brought him. Using his variety of bicycles got him noticed. Walking, riding, striding or jumping, he was always on the move.
I can hear the heavenly angels declaring, "hooray, we finally have someone coming who will use the trampoline!"
I think it can be said that the last few decades were defined by his admiration for
Theodore Geisel. That would be "Dr. Seuss". Elliott portrayed the essence of the Seuss character by wearing the red striped hat and red bow tie. He amused children and adults at the health clinic while he volunteered pushing around the courtesy beverage cart or attending events where he made ballon animals. His bicycles were adorned in Dr. Seuss, from the giant paper mâché hat, to the recent Thing One and Thing Two, his most faithful companions. He rode everywhere around town, and in parades he brought smiles to all.
I read up a little this morning and discovered why Elliott so aligned with the Seuss writings. The Cat in the Hat was written as a way to bring more literacy to children.
The Dick and Sally phenomenon helped, but Geisel felt he could do better, that he could make a real difference with a rhyming Dr. Seuss.
And making a difference was the passion of our beloved Elliott Royce. He made it better for the thousands of people he met, he mentored, he connected, and to whom he offered unconditional love.
Elliott lived by these and so many other Seuss quotes:
"You can find magic wherever you look. Sit back and relax...all you need is a
book."
"Why fit in when you were born to stand out?"
"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer
yourself any direction you choose".
"Sometimes the questions are complicated and answers are simple."
And on this day that we celebrate a life well lived...
"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."
So my dear, dear friend Elliott Royce...Thank You for being part of so many lives.
I will do my best to honor and remember your legacy... I will do my best to keep on jumping.
With love and fond memories,
Bob Friedman